With four weeks to go, it's fair to say some teams should get their trophy-hoisting hands ready.
The big three:
1. Ovid-Elsie 34, Swan Valley 31 -- Chris Robinson, Chris Robinson, Chris Robinson. Someone mentioned we didn't mention him last week, but maybe we were just saving up for this week's 300-plus yard performance that likely earned the Marauders the TVC Central title and put him over 1,200 rushing for the season with four weeks left before the playoffs.
2. Mason 36, St. Johns 0 -- I think we'll have the same CAAC Red champion as last season, and a new No. 2 team in the area next week.
3. Potterville 33, Pewamo-Westphalia 27 -- Give the Vikings their first league title since 1973. Fulton is up next week, but Potterville should at least end up with a share after this win.
Game ball: Chris Robinson -- He carried Ovid-Elsie often last season but also had a stellar senior class surrounding him on the way to Ford Field. He's definitely carrying the Marauders again this fall, and his game against Swan Valley should rank among the highlights of his career.
WOW factor: Fowlerville 28, Haslett 21 -- This is the second straight WOW appearance for the Gladiators, and again, it's not because they surprised anyone. But pulling out a win like this is always a great indication of a team's character, and now Fowlerville gets to see what it can do against DeWitt next week in the unofficial CAAC Gold championship game.
Upset central: Ashley 20, Manistee Catholic 15 -- Although Manistee Catholic was undefeated, at home and beat the Bears last year, the guy next to me here said I was crazy not to pick Ashley. He wins. And I'm an even bigger believer in the 4-1 Bears.
Three more that caught my eye:
1. Fulton 20, Fowler 18 -- This is the way this rivalry game should be played. Fulton has dominated lately, and it's fair to call this a surprise performance by the young Eagles.
2. Olivet 42, Delton Kellogg 29 -- Big win for the Eagles knocking off previously-undefeated Delton Kellogg. Olivet has gotten most of the KVA's top teams out of the way, and could build on a 3-2 record toward a playoff berth.
3. Ionia 35, Eaton Rapids 14 -- The Bulldogs looked like underdogs in this one without a win yet this fall. But they'd played everyone but Williamston close, and are 17 points from 4-1 instead of 1-4.
A few more notes from my game, Mason at St. Johns:
--I'd like to see Mason against Holt, because I think the Bulldogs can match up with the Rams physically, especially on the lines. Mason's big guys got a great push off the line to open some holes, and defensively stood up to a veteran St. Johns offensive line.
--Bulldogs sophomore running back Austin LaVallii is fast with good moves, and junior Ben Hinamanu can move the chains too. Mason's running game should be in good hands through 2011.
--Mason's front seven on defense is its strength. Seniors Christian Powell and Kyle Kranz and junior Ethan Dunsmore stood out among the linemen, and senior linebacker Josh Clark is solid. He's a safety, but sophomore Connor Holbrook led the team in tackles as a linebacker last season and is already headed toward outstanding.
--I felt a lot better about picking Mason's Jacob Derby as our preseason all-area kicker when he drilled a 48-yard field goal and then knocked his kickoffs into the end zone -- whether he had a strong wind at his back or was kicking into it. It's too bad though that we didn't get to see St. Johns kicker Ian Baert, because I've heard great things.
--St. Johns coach Dave Mariage would never use it as an excuse, much less bring it up at all, but eight injuries have to be taking a toll on the Redwings. That is a ton to recover from, and considering the team is still 3-2, it's a testament to his program.
--Four of the Redwings' top six tacklers according to my stats are juniors, led by linebacker Colin Wilson. That's obviously a good sign of things to come.
--I don't know much about St. Johns sophomore back-up quarterback Jared Nurenberg, but I'd heard he has a big arm. That was an accurate report.
Recent Comments